USCG Licensed Captain

My name is Justin Russell, and I'm a Merchant Mariner. To many that may be a strange thing to hear, as while much of what we use and consume day to day is moved on water, not many know the sailors who work in the industry. 

My time on the water started as a kid, fishing and sailing with my dad and brother. I got out on the sea professionally in 2004 when I joined the navy. There I worked as an Operations Specialist, operating radar equipment, as well as performing navigation work. After being discharged, I went back to a variety of land based jobs, including starting my own business, which unfortunately looked better in the planning stages than in the real world, and went under in 2014. 

After much deliberation, I reached the decision to leave my home in Santa Cruz, CA, and look for something new. Upon the advice of an uncle who's been a captain on the Mississippi for many years, I decided to head back to the water once more, and got a job working as a deckhand on tugboats on the Intracoastal Waterway in Louisiana and Texas. 

I spent my time off the boat in classes to get my AB (Able Bodied Seaman) ticket, and am now working in that capacity aboard a supply boat on the Gulf of Mexico. However, to move on to a captain position (technically a "master" or "mate"), I need significantly more classes under my belt. Between the cost of the classes themselves, the loss of income while attending, and the cost of living while attending, I could really use some help.

I'm trying to start a new career at 32 years old, and it's more difficult than I thought it would be. I am truly thankful to anyone taking the time read my story, and hopefully to help.